The Australian football community today celebrates four distinguished members of the football family who have been recognised in the January 26 Honours List for their contributions to the sport and their communities.
Announced today, Football Tasmania CEO, Tony Pignata, PFA founder and former CEO, Brendan Schwab, former CEO of Soccer Australia, Ian Holmes and former player and football manager, Alen Stajcic were recognised on the January 26 Honours List.
Tony Pignata received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Governor General’s Australia Day Honours in recognition of his significant services to football in Australia.
Pignata’s contribution to the game spans playing, administration and senior executive leadership, with influence across grassroots, state and national levels of Australian football.
PFA founder and former CEO, Brendan Schwab, was the recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and recognised for his significant service to professional sport as a lawyer, and as an advocate for athlete’s rights.
Schwab who co-founded the PFA in 1993, played a critical role in advancing the rights of Australian footballers through establishing collective bargaining for the Commbank Socceroos, CommBank Matildas, A-League and National Soccer League players.
